Within the Yushu Prefecture there are Opticians and Ophthalmologists (Eye Doctors) but widespread poverty prevents access to these services. The result is that people can't get the spectacles and eye operations they need. This results in:

• Loss of ability to work
• Loss of earnings and further poverty
• Avoidable blindness
• Reduced quality of life and depression

We aim to provide the following to the local people living in absolute poverty:

• Basic eye examination
• Spectacles for distance and/or near work as required
• UV-safe sunglasses
• Eye medicine as required (e.g. antibiotics, tear supplements)
• Sponsored eye operations at the local hospital as required (e.g. cataract, eye lid problems, pain relief)
• Advice on diet (including the provision of multivitamins as required)
• Advice on eye protection

We achieve this through the following initiatives:

• Annual team of volunteer western optometrists and ophthalmologists
• Sponsoring a local Tibetan ophthalmologist providing 1 clinic session per week
• Sponsoring students to study optometry at university who will work in the hospital upon qualification
• Training Rokpa medical students in basic eye testing techniques and discussing clinical conditions when encountered

To date we have helped over 3,500 patients.